Teen diver nearly drowns in hotel lake - Orlando Sentinel 07/28/05

The 16-year-old was doing underwater shore restoration at the Walt Disney World Dolphin.

A teenage diver is in critical condition Wednesday after nearly drowning while performing underwater shore restoration at the Walt Disney World Dolphin hotel.

Only the hands and arms of Alan Kringel, 16, surfaced shortly after noon Tuesday when he finished work on a barrier in a lake behind the Dolphin, according to an Orange County Sheriff's Office report.

Members of Alan's four-man crew worried the teen was in trouble, the report states. They tugged at a rope attached to Alan's helmet, but only his helmet surfaced. Members of the crew found him tangled in a rope used for diving and hauled him into their boat, according to the report -- a description crew member Jack Neely Sr., 55, disputes.

Dolphin hotel officials said they did not know such a young worker was restoring their shoreline. Supervisors check to see that contractors have proper licensing to perform work but do not get involved with staffing, spokeswoman Treva Marshall said.

"Obviously, we were very surprised when we found out the age of the young man," Marshall said.

Alan was certified to dive about eight months ago, and he worked with the company for about six months, an Anchor Marine employee told an Orange County sheriff's investigator.